Chapter 377: Chapter 377 - 369: Yunding Empire

Shen Tang sneered, wanting her favor but not specifying the conditions?

Isn’t this setting a trap for her?

Favors, if not clearly defined, can be big or small.

If the other side wants half the kingdom, should she just hand it over?

Moreover, Shen Tang had heard some rumors about the Yiyuan Empire. There were very few mentions of that Emperor, and it was hard to distinguish truth from falsehood. No outsider had even seen the true face.

But the one confirmed truth was that this mysterious Emperor was a sickly person with only a few years left to live.

The Regent King and noble ministers in court were all restless, each wishing to replace him. How many troops could that Emperor dispatch to help her?

In the end, who would help whom was still uncertain!

She wouldn’t fall into such a trap.

Shen Tang straightforwardly refused, "Thank you for your country’s kindness, but this is our internal affair, and we don’t need outsiders to intervene. Please, envoy, return!"

The envoy’s face slightly darkened and haughtily said, "Is the Night Glow Emperor really not going to reconsider? Our Empire sincerely sent me to discuss matters with you! You are quite firm now, but when the country is gone, what use will it be?"

The officers nearby changed their expressions, "Who do you think you are, that you dare speak so arrogantly here? Your Majesty, execute this arrogant thief!"

The envoy’s face turned pale, realizing he had misspoken.

He looked down on the Night Glow Empire, but this was, after all, someone else’s territory. If he truly angered them, he might lose his head!

Shen Tang narrowed her eyes dangerously, calmed herself, and stopped the generals trying to charge forward, speaking calmly, "Thank you for the reminder, envoy. You should worry more about your own country’s internal chaos."

"You—" The envoy caught the sarcasm in her words, and his face darkened further.

A small empire’s emperor showing such an attitude!

The envoy’s attitude represented the nation’s attitude.

This condescending attitude surely wasn’t a genuine offer of assistance.

Shen Tang was too lazy to deal with him indirectly, turned coldly, and said, "Someone, escort the guest out!"

"Without our help, you can wait to see your country destroyed!"

The envoy threw down these words and left angrily, flicking his sleeve.

The faces of the many generals in the camp were not good, but there was nothing they could do. Strength was everything, and now, even the envoys of other countries dared to mock the Night Glow Empire!

Jia Lan and Lu Xiao also rushed over from the Imperial City to provide support.

Hearing this conversation, Jia Lan was so angry his eyes were red. He turned to Shen Tang, pressed his lips, and whispered, "... Tangtang, this envoy is arrogant and insolent, but what he said isn’t wrong. Our military strength is severely depleted, we might not last long. If it comes to it, I’ll ask the Mother King for help! Request reinforcements from the Sea Country!"

Shen Tang lightly held his hand, shook her head, and with complex gratitude said, "I understand your intention, and Jialouluo Your Majesty surely won’t refuse for your sake, but the battlefield is deep inland, and aid from the Sea Country would be limited."

Lu Xiao, after a brief contemplation, suddenly spoke, "Female Master, send me to the Yunding Empire."

Shen Tang turned her head towards him, puzzled, "Yunding Empire?"

"Yes, the Yunding Empire is powerful, though far from the Night Glow Empire, their empire mostly comprises Flying Beastmen. If they are willing to send troops, they can arrive quickly and provide strong support."

Shen Tang sighed, "The two nations have never had much interaction; it would be good if they don’t seize the opportunity to divide us, why would they help us?"

"My mother is there." Lu Xiao lowered his eyes and softly said, "She is one of the Three Kings of the Yunding Empire, the Sky King."

At this, not only was Shen Tang shocked to the point of being speechless, but even Jia Lan and several generals present were stunned, their surprised and doubtful gazes all focusing on him.

Lu Xiao explained, "More than twenty years ago, when my father was still young, he traveled to the Yunding Empire during his training and met my mother; they... had a brief romance. The Sky King wanted my father to stay, but he couldn’t let go of the family business, and they separated due to different political views."

"Father insisted on bringing me back to the Night Glow Empire."

Shen Tang had heard rumors about the Lu Family, that Lu Xiao’s mother had died in childbirth with scant public information available, she hadn’t expected the truth to be this!

Lu Xiao continued, "My mother is proud, she might not meet just anyone, it would be best for me to go personally as the envoy."

"The Sky King hasn’t seen you in all these years? Are you sure she will meet you?"

Lu Xiao shook his head, "I can’t guarantee she will see me, but there should be some maternal bond, she shouldn’t shut the door on me."

Shen Tang thought about it, then earnestly said, "Then I will go with you!"

Jia Lan hurriedly tried to stop her, "Tangtang, that place is far! The journey is long and arduous, what if something unexpected happens?! You are now the backbone of the Empire, if something were to happen, it would be a complete disaster."

The soldiers also advised, "Yes, Your Majesty, just send General Lu Xiao and the envoy, there’s no need for you to go personally!"

Lu Xiao also nodded, "Female Master, it’s a long journey. Even rushing at full speed with a flying unit, it will take at least three days."

Shen Tang smiled lightly, "It’s not a problem. When asking for help, it is natural to show full sincerity. My personal visit will better demonstrate the sincere intention of the Night Glow Empire."

As a ruler, familial bonds were thin, much less for Lu Xiao and his mother, who hadn’t met for years. The Sky King would not easily mobilize the army for an out-of-family son.

Between nations, negotiations focused solely on interests.

She had to go personally to present enough sincerity and benefits before the other side might deploy troops in support.

Lu Xiao thought carefully and realized she had a point. Though the Emperor’s personal mission to another country was risky, given his mother’s straightforward nature and with him by her side for protection, there shouldn’t be any mishaps.

"Alright, but Female Master, we must keep this mission confidential and absolutely avoid exposure."

"I understand."

The few generals in the camp were Shen Tang’s close confidants, highly loyal. They vowed to keep the secret, to the point they wished to sew their lips shut, ensuring it wouldn’t be leaked.

Without delay, Shen Tang and Lu Xiao, along with their entourage, secretly left the city by night.

They didn’t bring many people, just a few dozen, all elite soldiers carefully selected, leaving Black Blade City overnight and heading directly northwest.

As winter drew to an end, the weather was no longer so cold. Shen Tang sat atop the Golden Eagle, watching the war fires below, and the ground covered with corpses, indistinguishable between civilians and soldiers, between the enemy or their own Beastmen.

Nearby, wild animals and vultures were attracted, scavenging on the bodies.

Shen Tang took a deep breath, withdrawing her gaze, feeling complex emotions and a chill sweeping over her.

Lu Xiao apparently sensed the female’s downcast mood, slightly slowed down, turned his head, and rubbed against her face in silent comfort.

Shen Tang held onto the Golden Eagle’s neck, whispered, "I’m fine, let’s hurry on... Quickly end this current chaos."

The team accelerated their pace, continuing their journey.

A sudden attack struck!